Post by lazarus on Jul 29, 2005 10:27:04 GMT -5
Posted on Fri, Jul. 29, 2005
Veteran corner signed
Washington joins Chiefs as others focus on Law
By ELIZABETH MERRILL The Kansas City Star
RIVER FALLS, Wis. — He arrived Thursday, the first day of training camp, just when Chiefs fans had given up hope that help was coming at right cornerback.
OK, wrong guy.
As the Ty Law fixation continued in at least three NFL cities, the Chiefs made a less expensive pick, adding veteran corner Dewayne Washington to the roster. Washington worked out in Kansas City a month ago and was losing hope that he’d latch on to a team before training camp when the Chiefs called.
Coach thingy Vermeil, who seems to grow more tired with the Law questions each day, was asked Thursday whether Washington’s addition meant Law was out of the picture.
“It doesn’t change anything,” Vermeil said.
“Ty Law is in no picture until he gets a physical somewhere, wherever he’s going. I don’t know where he is today working out.”
Law, a Pro Bowl corner, is being wooed by the Lions, Jets and Jaguars. The Chiefs have also expressed an interest because they’ll play four games without suspended starter Eric Warfield.
But Law seemed like the last thing on Vermeil’s mind late Thursday, when he said Dexter McCleon would be the starting corner opposite Patrick Surtain. McCleon is coming off a shoulder injury and a subpar 2004, but he intercepted a pass in the first workout of the season, and Vermeil said McCleon had put last year behind him.
“I’ve said all along I have tremendous confidence in him,” Vermeil said. “I believe he’s physically and mentally and emotionally prepared to have a great season. If he gets back to the way he was the year before last and we do the right things with him and he does what I know he’s capable of, he’ll play very well and he’ll be tough to replace when Eric Warfield comes back.”
Like Ashley Ambrose, another newly signed veteran corner, Washington is considered by the Chiefs to be insurance in a defense that is leaving nothing to chance. He has made 170 starts in 11 seasons, recording 31 interceptions and 829 tackles.
He started all 16 games for Jacksonville last year with two interceptions, a forced fumble and 86 tackles.
“This is my 12th year, but I still wanted to play football,” said Washington, 32. “I still wanted to come out and compete, and I feel good.
“They said there were two spots open, so try to do your best and see where things fall. Obviously Warfield will be out the first four games, so there’s an opportunity to start if I play well enough or back up or go home.”
Washington, a first-round draft pick for Minnesota in 1994 out of North Carolina State, has a one-year deal with the Chiefs. They also will look at Ambrose and second-year corner Benny Sapp on the right side.
“He was out there, we had a space and a locker open, so we thought we would bring him in,” Vermeil said. “He’s played a lot of football. … He has had a great career. He was available, so we’ll give him a chance.”
Also Thursday, the Chiefs agreed to a one-year deal with linebacker Dave Moretti. A former rookie free agent with Oakland, Moretti played in 10 games for the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe.
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To reach Elizabeth Merrill, Chiefs reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4744 or send e-mail to lmerrill@kcstar.com
Veteran corner signed
Washington joins Chiefs as others focus on Law
By ELIZABETH MERRILL The Kansas City Star
RIVER FALLS, Wis. — He arrived Thursday, the first day of training camp, just when Chiefs fans had given up hope that help was coming at right cornerback.
OK, wrong guy.
As the Ty Law fixation continued in at least three NFL cities, the Chiefs made a less expensive pick, adding veteran corner Dewayne Washington to the roster. Washington worked out in Kansas City a month ago and was losing hope that he’d latch on to a team before training camp when the Chiefs called.
Coach thingy Vermeil, who seems to grow more tired with the Law questions each day, was asked Thursday whether Washington’s addition meant Law was out of the picture.
“It doesn’t change anything,” Vermeil said.
“Ty Law is in no picture until he gets a physical somewhere, wherever he’s going. I don’t know where he is today working out.”
Law, a Pro Bowl corner, is being wooed by the Lions, Jets and Jaguars. The Chiefs have also expressed an interest because they’ll play four games without suspended starter Eric Warfield.
But Law seemed like the last thing on Vermeil’s mind late Thursday, when he said Dexter McCleon would be the starting corner opposite Patrick Surtain. McCleon is coming off a shoulder injury and a subpar 2004, but he intercepted a pass in the first workout of the season, and Vermeil said McCleon had put last year behind him.
“I’ve said all along I have tremendous confidence in him,” Vermeil said. “I believe he’s physically and mentally and emotionally prepared to have a great season. If he gets back to the way he was the year before last and we do the right things with him and he does what I know he’s capable of, he’ll play very well and he’ll be tough to replace when Eric Warfield comes back.”
Like Ashley Ambrose, another newly signed veteran corner, Washington is considered by the Chiefs to be insurance in a defense that is leaving nothing to chance. He has made 170 starts in 11 seasons, recording 31 interceptions and 829 tackles.
He started all 16 games for Jacksonville last year with two interceptions, a forced fumble and 86 tackles.
“This is my 12th year, but I still wanted to play football,” said Washington, 32. “I still wanted to come out and compete, and I feel good.
“They said there were two spots open, so try to do your best and see where things fall. Obviously Warfield will be out the first four games, so there’s an opportunity to start if I play well enough or back up or go home.”
Washington, a first-round draft pick for Minnesota in 1994 out of North Carolina State, has a one-year deal with the Chiefs. They also will look at Ambrose and second-year corner Benny Sapp on the right side.
“He was out there, we had a space and a locker open, so we thought we would bring him in,” Vermeil said. “He’s played a lot of football. … He has had a great career. He was available, so we’ll give him a chance.”
Also Thursday, the Chiefs agreed to a one-year deal with linebacker Dave Moretti. A former rookie free agent with Oakland, Moretti played in 10 games for the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To reach Elizabeth Merrill, Chiefs reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4744 or send e-mail to lmerrill@kcstar.com
